A Walk Through Zurich With Illustrator Philipp Dornbierer

We were recently invited by Zürich Tourismus to visit the Swiss city, where we caught up with the illustrator Philipp Dornbierer. Taking us on a tour through the city, Philipp introduced us to five of his favorite locations across town.

Working under the name Yehteh, the illustrator takes inspiration from color, and has become known for his trademark red touch, which appears in illustrations for the likes of Google, AirBnB and The New York Times. Intrigued to see how the city of Zürich and Swiss architecture and design influence his work, we asked Philipp to create an illustration for each of the spots we visited – included alongside the photos in the following feature.

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Sukkulenten-Sammlung

We begin our tour at a plant lovers’ paradise. This collection of greenhouses is home to around 12,000 cacti in over 6,000 varieties, and radiates tropical tranquility, making it the perfect maze of escapism – and a natural resource for finding inspiration in different shapes, colors and forms.

We naturally couldn’t go past the art museum dedicated to the Swiss design legend, who also appears on the country’s banknotes, to catch the 2016 exhibition before it closed for the year. The pavilion is the only building designed by Le Corbusier in German-speaking Switzerland, and was also his last, completed in 1967.

Next, we stop by the Migros Museum. This contemporary art museum’s location and architecture makes it one of Philipp’s favourite attractions. Located in the recently remodelled Löwenbräu-Areal amidst beautiful new residential apartments, it’s a place that Philipp likes to take friends who are visiting town.

Philipp used to live near this square and tram station in downtown Zürich, which he – along with two friends – considers an oft-overlooked treasure. Having grown up in the mountains,Philipp approaches the city with fresh eyes and a clear perspective, and Paradeplatz was one of the spaces that first won him over.

Belonging to the University of Zürich, the Gardens host 9000 different plant species across 53,000 m2, making it a tranquil and inspiring escape for all senses across every season. Stroll through the expansive grounds, take your time to linger through the greenhouses or refuel with a coffee in the café.